ANGWIN, Calif. – History was made on Monday, as the 18th varsity program in Jessup Athletics made its debut. Taking on the Pioneers of Pacific Union College, Jessup produced a picture-perfect start to the volleyball program's tenure, as Jessup picked up win number one in four sets.
Jessup's first taste of competition came in a hostile road environment, as the Covered Wagon on the campus of Pacific Union was filled to the brim with rowdy fans hoping to see an opening night victory. The small contingent of Jessup fans who made the two-hour trek from Rocklin were the ones who left happy, as they bore witness to a historic moment for the program.
The Warriors were led at the net by
Jan Lopuch, as the junior from Poland totaled 14 kills in his first match at Jessup. Lopuch added six digs and a pair of blocks while hitting .290 on the night.
Anthony Dobie was right behind him with nine kills, while
Owen Henning contributed seven.
Taylor Marks did the bulk of the setting for Jessup, as his debut saw him finish with 35 assists.
The first two sets on Monday's matchup saw pure dominance out of the Warriors, starting with a 25-17 victory for Jessup in the first. The Warriors then followed up their opening victory with a commanding 25-13 win in the second, placing them 25 points away from a sweep.
Unfortunately, the brooms had to be placed back in the closet, as PUC claimed a 25-23 victory in the third to extend the bout past the minimum allotment of sets.
The PUC momentum carried into the fourth set, with the Warriors finding themselves in an 7-3 hole before the momentum began to flip. The Warriors then regrouped, setting up a 25-22 finish as match point came on the final kill of the night from Lopuch.
TJ Letuligasenoa led PUC with a nine-kill performance.
Head coach
Kyle Steele and his staff celebrated with the team on the court after the match, as the group took in the first win in program history. The Warriors began practicing for this moment back in the fall.
Jessup's inaugural season continues on Saturday when the Warriors visit Menlo College in Atherton. That visit will the second of three straight on the road to start the season, as Jessup then visits Simpson on February 6.
The Warriors will make their official home debut on February 6 when they welcome UC Merced to Warrior Arena. Tickets are on sale
HERE.
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Jessup University is a provisional member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the PacWest Conference. For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Instagram & X).
